A cloaked Corvette was recently spotted prowling around the GM Milford Proving Grounds, resulting in quite a lot of speculation around what’s under the sheets. Is it a ZR1? A C8? Maybe the E-Ray Hybrid?
Muscle Cars & Trucks reports that the camouflaged Chevrolet is the next Corvette C8 ZR1 which will have a twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder heart pumping 634 kW to the rear wheels. All of this information comes from MC&T’s “bulletproof sources” so take everything with a grain of salt.
MC&T’s insider said that the ZR1 will be powered by a higher output variant of the LT6 engine codenamed ”Gemini”. The Gemini is a twin turbocharged flat-plane V8 that will be mated to an Tremec bred 8-speed DCT similar to the transmission architecture found in previous C8’s. For comparison, the 2022 C8 is fitted with the LT2 engine that produces around 365 kW as a result of the larger 6,2-litre naturally aspirated V8.
Visually, many things haven’t changed. The ZR1 appears to hold on to the signature design language that has become intertwined with the Corvette nameplate.
MC&T reports that the SR1 will have the same exhaust geometry as the Corvette Stingray but will have unique front and rear fascia. The spotted ZR1 test mule sat on a pair of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, rumours suggest that higher trim models will have the option of Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires.
With electrification becoming a growing trend within the automotive industry, it’s likely that this might be one of the last internal combustion platforms from Chevrolet’s stables. The E-Ray prototype shows the marque’s slow and steady approach to the idea of electrifying powertrains in their cars.
We might wait a while for any concrete information straight from the horse’s mouth. Rumours lead us to believe that we might see actual ZR1’s sometime around 2025 and 2026.
